Right-hander Pedro Strop has asked his release from the Cubs, who have granted the request, tweets Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. He’s still in good standing with the organization, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers adds, indicating this was an amicable parting of ways. MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian tweets that the team remains open to bringing Strop back in the future.
Strop was away from the Cubs on a leave of absence due to personal reasons. Details surrounding that absence were not revealed, and it’s not clear at this point whether he’ll pursue an opportunity with another club. He pitched two shutout innings for the Cubs in 2021, but as of this weekend, Strop had returned to his home in the Dominican Republic.
Set to turn 36 next month, Strop has spent parts of 13 years in the Majors — eight of them with the Cubs. He came to the organization alongside Jake Arrieta in the franchise-altering deal that sent Scott Feldman to the Oriole and went on to become one of the team’s most vital relivers, pitching to a sub-3.00 ERA in his first six seasons in Chicago. Strop has tallied 375 innings in relief for the Cubs over the years and logged a 2.88 ERA while more than 28 percent of his opponents. He’s also been nails in the playoffs, logging a career 1.86 ERA in 19 1/3 postseason frames.
All told, Strop carries a lifetime 3.20 ERA through 505 2/3 big league innings split between the Cubs, Orioles, Rangers and Reds. If he indeed decides to explore other opportunities, there will no doubt be interest in him given his lengthy track record.
Halos…please call this guy. I think he can help. Please and thank you
Did YOu SAy caLL PedRo FeLiCiAnO? oK! – Perry Moreno
You guys can have Jake McGee
Best of luck to Strop, an incredibly important all-time Cub. Hats to the left.
Oh wow, hope everything is alright.
I feel for the guy. I hope he’s doing well.
‘Strop has tallied 375 innings in relief for the Cubs over the years and logged a 2.88 ERA while more than 28 percent of his opponents.’
Sorry, I know this is not a big deal, but it still eats at me a little. Is that 28 percent referring to strikeouts? Also, if it is, that seems pretty damn impressive. Anyone have any idea what the average is?
I believe it is referring to K%. Through the first month of 2021 league wide k rate is right around 25%, which is the highest or second highest over the span of Strop’s career. Damn impressive indeed
When will people stop using ERA to judge relief pitcher performance? Inherited runners don’t count against their ERA.
Strop was fine, but he blew lots of games over the years. I won’t miss him.
Probably the same time people stop using selective memory to focus on a player’s worst or best performances to evaluate him overall.
If he did not wear his hat as a tribute to his grandfather people would have realized how great he was
He went the team prior this request for personal reasons. So it could be a career for him.
Agree. Probably something related to family issues. I wish him the best.
Ah yes…the Stropinizer or crooked hat…he had great stuff for a few seasons ..sometimes on, sometimes off… Strop’s pitching mechanics were not good… I think he was a hard thrower as a youth, and someone in their wisdom, stuck him on the mound..it worked for our Cubs off and on…
I agree he will go down as one of the Cubs best relievers top 8–15 ever